IID, First proper outing

[bill]

I took my newly-serviced IID out for a walk today in the winter sunshine.

I used it with one lens - a 50mm f2.5 Color Skopar. This lens has come in for some bad press when it was first released for lack of contrast and resolution of fine detail so I was interested to see how it would perform. It makes a good match to the IID. I have "permanently" fitted it with a yellow filter - 400CN is the only "food" I intend to give my IID.

So.

Film loading: As easy (or as hard) as any Barnack. No real problems. Following the CLA, everything is nice and precise.

Handling: Very slick. The Skopar fits well, in every sense of the word. It makes for a balanced and neat package. It shows slightly in the viewfinder, but that is not a problem. It has a focussing tab, that is at the 6 o'clock position at 5 ft. Focussing is smooth, and with the rangefinder, nice and positive.

Range/Viewfinder: Now here is the funny thing. I think I find it slightly EASIER to use than my IIIc. The two windows are further apart, it is true, but that makes them more "definite" in use. The rangefinder is quite bright, and surprisingly easy to focus, even in dim light. The viewfinder is 50mm. of course, and pretty well WYSIWYG in use.

Results: Well, there is nothing earth-shattering here, but I was pleased with both the accuracy of the shutter and the results from the lens. I found that I was overexposing slightly; overcompensating for the filter. I won't bother to compensate in future - I prefer my negs a little denser, although these were perfectly usable.

Verdict: A neat and compact little street-shooter. I won't be "upgrading" to an M8 just yet - I am having far too much fun...!

Street Musician, Guildford


Abbots' Hospital, Guildford


Signs, Downing Street, Farnham


Greengrocer, Farnham


Regards,

Bill

[ejd]

Looks like a terrific camera and lens. The pictures look very sharp with plenty of contrast and good grey tones.

All the best, John

[andybarton]

Nice work, Bill, but Flickr is letting you down this morning.

Can I also request that you keep the image sizes within the Forum rules, please, for the benefit of those on slower connections. You images are larger both in dimensions and files sizes. Cheers!

I have also moved it to the Landscape section for consistency with the M8 boys

[Marquinius]

Bill,

It works, it works! And very nicely at that!

I like #1, streetmusician, best, with the funny way the street tilts and the guy just sitting in this rather awkward spot.

Marco

[jc_braconi]

Bill,
Next time, it would interesting to have the same pict(s) taken with the Elmar 3.5/50 and the Skopar 2.5/50.

[stuny]

Bill -

If I were you I'd be making annoying sounds of delight over how well this pair works together and how fine these photos are.

[bill]

Thanks for the kind words, chaps. I certainly am making "sounds of delight"

@ Andy - thanks for moving - I wouldn't want to upset my M8 mates - just thought the text made it more sensible to be in C&H. Confused by your comment though - I thought linking to Flickr put no strain on the Forum servers? That's why I did it that way? Please confirm.

@ JC - Maybe! I'm really not a lens tester, and screwing and unscrewing lenses between shots is a bit tedious, I think you will agree

Regards,

Bill

[biglouis]

Lovely set of pictures. Very crisp and excellent detail.

LouisB

[bill]

Thanks, Louis. I will try it with other lenses the next chance I get - maybe Chinese New Year on Saturday

Regards,

Bill

[andybarton]

Originally Posted by bill

Confused by your comment though - I thought linking to Flickr put no strain on the Forum servers? That's why I did it that way? Please confirm.

It doesn't put any strain on the servers, but it does on the connection for those viewing on slower lines.

Keeping the image sizes to the guidelines makes the experience a good one for everyone, regardless of where they are or, within reason, what size screen they have.

Your images are roughly half a megabyte each and over 1000 pixels wide.

[vickersdc]

I've just received an Elmar Red Scale 50mm f3.5 to team up with my 1937 Leica II - and I live in Farnham (near to Bill's native Frimley)...

...I may have to take a walk down town and shoot these images with my camera and see how it compares ;-)

David.

[bill]

Originally Posted by vickersdc

I've just received an Elmar Red Scale 50mm f3.5 to team up with my 1937 Leica II - and I live in Farnham (near to Bill's native Frimley)...

...I may have to take a walk down town and shoot these images with my camera and see how it compares ;-)

David.

Looking forward to seeing your interpretations, David.

Here's a challenge - see if you can get a decent photo of the rug shop in the Lion and Lamb yard without the owner coming out and giving you the evil eye

Regards,

Bill

[vickersdc]

I might be tempted to try that - 'rug-baiting' I shall call it!

I know the owner of the Lion & Lamb Bistro - I might be able to take a sneaky picture from there with a telephoto...

[bill]

Originally Posted by vickersdc

I might be tempted to try that - 'rug-baiting' I shall call it!

I know the owner of the Lion & Lamb Bistro - I might be able to take a sneaky picture from there with a telephoto...

Watch out for the Orvis Bears!!!

Regards,

Bill

[Photoskeptic]

Well, one things for sure - you've made a mockery of the bad press for that particular lens. Excellent work.

[LeonardT]

Hi Bill,

These photos are great. Very representative of 400CN, good contrast and range and very smooth. Very nice street scenes as well. Very well done.

I also have a love affair with the IID. It's a great little camera. At one time I really wanted a little Rollei 35 but this camera is a better choice. Even though it's about the same size as the model III and just a little smaller then the IIIC, it seems a lot smaller. I don't know if it's because of the lack of strap lugs or because it's the only black model I have. But I just put on a 5cm Elmar and slip it in my pocket and I'm ready to go.

Enjoy,
Len